The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-01
"OId January"

Ira Jenree. the veteran gambler who
died of old age and general debility at
the Gedney House on Monday, says the
New York Tribune. was known to the
sporting fraternity throughout the
Union as ''Old January" He began
his career as gambler about 1854,
previous to which he was Il card writer
at the ST. Nicholas Hotel. His first
experience as the proprietor of
gamhling-house was at Broadway and
Fulton streets. His partner was Ed
ward Kline, who died years ago leav
ing fortune of $500, 600. ''Old jan
uary" amassed a snug sum here and
afterward opened an establishment at
No. 573 Broadway, which was exten-
sively patronized by southern lovers
of faro. Later he opened a game at
No. ) Barclay street, which flourished
for long time. He was also inter
ested in a house in Twenty-eight
street.
In the course of his gambling career
he made and lost six or seven fortunes.
All one time his wealth was estimated
at 100000. He was over 20, and died
almost destitute. Many gamblers OF
this city knew him when he was
''high roller" and more than one
helped him when he was actually in
need of a meal and a place to sleep.
He leaves q wife.
"Old January swOre by the code of
honor, Yet his notorety was gained by
a desperate shift which the most un-
scrupnlous gambler of to-day would
scarcely have the courage to try. The
old man often told the story on him
self and the late John Morissey
vouched for its truthfulness.
1t was the winning of fortune on
the wager of q lozenge that made him
famous among his kind. He had
risked and lost his last dollar at Nor
rissey & Dancers combination game
in Broadway, near Bond street, and
the dealer was waiting to go on with
the play.
Il was lost for a bit, "Old January"
used Ia say in telling the story. land
was about to shell out for home when
something like an inspiration came TO
me. While fumbling in my pocket L
found a lozenge. I pulled it out in a
thoughtless kind of way, and when
my eve lit on it / saw that it looked
like a check. Without saving word
laid the lozenge on a card and cop
pered it. The dealer thought it was
all right and the game went on. Luck
was my way; | won, and the dealer
showed Il dollar check to me across
the table. | wagered the check and
won again, and when left the table |
had S3, 900 Next day it grew to S.
900, and before the end of the week it
was $40. 000-cvery dollar won on the
wager of that lozenge"
When asked if he was nervous while
the lozenge was doing,duty as check,
he said:
''It was the greatest trial of my life.
| think. Excitement and dread of
losing made me perspire and tremble
all over. If had lost my reputation
might have suffered seriously. YOU
see.
The old gambler had no respect for
the value of money. Dollars were
mere playthings TO him, and he
wagered fortune with as much indif-
ference as an amateur wagers beans.
! He gambied with one foot in the grave.
Though i'll and almost destitute he
visited his old haunts until two weeks
before his death, '.bucking the tiger"
with his last cent. He paid his debts
with scrupulous promptness. At the
Gedney House, where he breathed his
/ last, he did not owe a dollar.